Trump lashes out at allies at NATO summit, orders trade halt with ‘wasted cause’ Spain

US President Donald Trump lashed out at NATO allies during a summit in Ankara, escalating tensions over Iran and defense spending. Trump declared the Iran ceasefire "over" and criticized allies who did not support his campaign against Tehran. He also reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland, viewing European resistance as a "big problem."

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I’m very upset with NATO… because of what they did with Greenland, and… because of the fact that they didn’t want to help us with the number one state sponsor of terror, that’s Iran.

"I’m very upset with NATO… because of what they did with Greenland, and… because of the fact that they didn’t want to help us with the number one state sponsor of terror, that’s Iran," Trump stated. He singled out Spain for particular criticism, labeling it a "terrible partner in NATO" and a "wasted cause." Trump instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt trade with Spain, citing its refusal to commit to NATO’s defense spending target of 5% of GDP. This was the second time Trump had issued such a directive, though previous trade relations remained unaffected.

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Spain is a wasted cause. We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attempted to de-escalate the situation, acknowledging Spain's increased spending to two percent but noting that "there are still issues we have to solve." Despite Rutte's remarks, Trump insisted on cutting off trade, telling Bessent, "Take it immediately. Don’t even talk to them. They’re hopeless. They’re bad people… They make so much money with us, and we’re going to see that they make a lot less."

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Spain doesn’t agree to anything, and you shouldn’t carry them.

The office of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez responded by stating they were treating Trump's remarks as "business as usual" and did not intend to alter the "excellent" relations with Washington. The statement highlighted Spain's trade deficit with the US and noted that individual EU members cannot be singled out due to trade union agreements. Trump's frustration with Spain stems partly from Prime Minister Sanchez's refusal to allow the US to use Spanish airspace or bases for the Iran war, despite ongoing cooperation on two key military bases in southern Spain.

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Yes, sir.